Archie D. Harris

Archie David Harris, 80, of Davenport, died Thursday, January 23, 2025, at MercyOne Genesis, Davenport, from a brief illness made worse by chronic disease. He was surrounded by the love of his family and now is at peace. Per his request cremation will be accorded and a celebration of his life service will be held at 11:30 am on Wednesday, January 29, 2025 with a luncheon immediately following, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Davenport. Visitation will be from 10 am until time of services at the church. Memorials may be made to One Eighty (www.oneeighty.org) or American Lung Association.

Archie was born January 7, 1945, in Washington, IA, the son of Arthur and Catherine (Hesseltine) Harris. He moved to Bettendorf prior to his senior year of high school. He married the love of his life, Twilla Geist, on March 11, 1967. They had two daughters and built a beautiful life together. 

Archie was a member of the National Guard Reserve running the mess hall. Archie worked in restaurants starting at the Italian Village, Chef's Hat, and then at Mark's Big Boy until he purchased his own, Gentleman Jim’s, in 1978, quickly expanding into multiple locations. Later he worked for Sundberg Co. as an on-the-road salesman. He loved visiting his customers and made many friends through the years. 

Archie loved to make people smile with jokes, gentle teasing, and literally clowning around as he went to Clown School and was a member of the QC Clown Troupe. He also had a passion for golfing, going as often as he could until his health wouldn’t allow it.

Archie was a compassionate, generous, and big-hearted man who would give you the shirt off his back and a hand up if you needed it. He was a selfless, caring, loving human who generously shared what he had with others. He was full of life and will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

Those left to honor his memory include his wife, Twilla; daughters Amber (Landon) Grimm, Heather (Tom) Hepner; grandchildren Logan Grimm, Alden (Jasmine) Grimm of Davenport, Loften (fiancée Meredith Cox) Grimm of Jacksboro, TN, Maizie Hepner of Dubuque, Charlie Hepner of Davenport; great grandchildren Aria and Iris; and sister Cathy (Greg) Thu of New London, IA and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Darlene Stewart, Wilma Chalupa, Ila Spiker, Linda Hagans, and brothers Olin “Sonny” Harris, Howard Harris, Karl “Butch” Harris, Ed Dusenbery, and Roy Dusenbery.

Online remembrances may be expressed at www.hmdfuneralhome.com.